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For optimum uptime and reliability, Mikro-Data.net recommends Debian Linux for our dedicated server hosting packages. Debian has been in existence since 1993 and provides a very stable and current hosting platform. By hosting your server on Debian Linux you will be able to stay current with the latest security updates very easily and quickly.

In fact, at Mikro-Data, we not only recommend Debian, we use it exclusively for our internal infrastructure and even maintain an in house mirror of the Debian package pools. So, when you have a problem, the staff at Mikro-Data is well prepared to help.

WHAT is Debian?

The Debian Project is an association of individuals who have made common cause to create a free operating system. This operating system that we have created is called Debian. An operating system is the set of basic programs and utilities that make your computer run. At the core of an operating system is the kernel. The kernel is the most fundamental program on the computer and does all the basic housekeeping and lets you start other programs.

Debian systems currently use the Linux kernel or the FreeBSD kernel. Linux is a piece of software started by Linus Torvalds and supported by thousands of programmers worldwide. FreeBSD is an operating system including a kernel and other software.

However, work is in progress to provide Debian for other kernels, primarily for the Hurd. The Hurd is a collection of servers that run on top of a microkernel (such as Mach) to implement different features. The Hurd is free software produced by the GNU project.

A large part of the basic tools that fill out the operating system come from the GNU project; hence the names: GNU/Linux, GNU/kFreeBSD and GNU/Hurd. These tools are also free.

It’s a bit like a tower. At the base is the kernel. On top of that are all the basic tools. Next is all the software that you run on the computer. At the top of the tower is Debian — carefully organizing and fitting everything so it all works together.

Reasons to Choose Debian

Unparalleled support

Mail sent to the mailing lists often gets answers within 15 minutes (or less), for free, and by the people who developed it.

The best packaging system in the world.

Tired of old files from software three versions old cluttering your system? Or installing a piece of software only to find it causes your system to crash because of software conflicts? Dpkg, Debian’s endured packaging system, takes care of these issues for you.

Easy installation

If you have heard that Debian is difficult to install, then you haven’t tried Debian lately. We are constantly improving the installation process. You can do the installation directly from CD, DVD, Blu-ray, USB stick or even over the network.

Incredible amounts of software

Debian comes with over 29000 different pieces of software. Every bit of it is free. If you have proprietary software that runs under GNU/Linux or GNU/kFreeBSD, you can still use it – in fact, there may even be an installer in Debian that will automatically install and set up everything for you.

Packages well integrated

Debian surpasses all other distributions in how well its packages are integrated. Since all software is packaged by a coherent group, not only can all packages be found at a single site, but you can be assured that we have already worked out all issues regarding complicated dependencies. While we feel that the deb format has some advantages over the rpm format, it is the integration between the packages that makes a Debian system more robust.

Source code

If you are a software developer, you will appreciate the fact that there are hundreds of development tools and languages, plus millions of lines of source code in the base system. All of the software in the main distribution meets the criteria of the Debian Free Software Guidelines (DFSG). This means that you can freely use this code to study from, or to incorporate into new free software projects. There are also plenty of tools and code suitable for use in proprietary projects.

Easy upgrades

Due to our packaging system, upgrading to a new version of Debian is a snap. Just run apt-get update ; apt-get dist-upgrade (or aptitude update; aptitude dist-upgrade in newer releases) and you can upgrade from a CD in a matter of minutes or point apt at one of the over 300 Debian mirrors and upgrade over the net.

Multiple architectures and kernels

Currently Debian supports an impressive number of CPU architectures: alpha, amd64, armel, hppa, i386, ia64, mips, mipsel, powerpc, s390, and sparc. It also runs on GNU Hurd and FreeBSD kernels besides Linux, and with the debootstrap utility you will be hard-pressed to find a device that can’t run Debian.

Bug tracking system

Debian’s bug tracking system is publicly available. We don’t try to hide the fact that software doesn’t always work the way users want. Users are encouraged to submit bug reports and are notified when and why the bug was closed. This system allows Debian to respond to problems quickly and honestly.